Protective sleeve

ABSTRACT

A cover for encasing threaded rod extending from structural concrete. The cover is in the shape of a cylindrical body having a length at least as long as that portion of the receiving bar extending from the structural concrete and having a diameter larger than that of the threaded rod.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority from U.S.patent application Ser. No 12/054,594 filed on Mar. 25, 2008.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention involves a cover and method for using it forencasing a threaded rod to protect the threaded rod from structuraldebris as it extends from structural concrete

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Virtually all structural concrete must include steel threaded rods whichenhance the structural integrity of the concrete. In addition, it isroutine to provide portions of such threaded rods extending beyond thestructural concrete mass for a number of reasons including their use asanchors to affix the structural concrete to adjacent structuralelements. For example, virtually all buildings begin with concretefoundations. Building codes, particularly in areas prone to earthquakes,require these foundations to be tied into the framework of the structureto prevent it from slipping from the foundation during tremors. As such,threaded rods are virtually always exposed at some point during theconstruction process.

In practice, it has oftentimes been found to be highly desirable toprevent debris, such as splashed concrete from fouling the grooves ofexposed threaded rods as the threaded rods, as noted previously, areintended to tie into other structural members. When structural concreteis formed, the threaded rods are first applied within forms and theconcrete then applied either directly from a concrete mixing vehicle orby shoveling the concrete from an intermediate container, such as awheelbarrow In either instance, the concrete oftentimes splashes andsticks to surfaces proximate the pour. In anticipating this, workersoftentimes, in an attempt to protect the threaded rod surface will applytape, such as duct tape to it only to be removed after the wet concretehas been applied to its frame or mold Although the application of tapeis superior to leaving the threaded rod exposed to splashing concrete,it is oftentimes difficult to remove the tape as splashed concretehardens about it. In addition, industrial tape, such as duct tape, canoftentimes not be removed without leaving behind a glue-residue whichcan be almost as unsatisfactory as the hardened concrete that the tapewas intended to isolate from the threaded rod surface.

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a means ofprotecting the threaded rod during the application of structuralconcrete and during construction when debris might otherwise foul it.

These and further objects will be more readily apparent when consideringthe following disclosure and appended claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A cover for encasing threaded rod extending from concrete. The covercomprises a cylindrical body having a length at least as long as thatportion of the threaded rod from the structural concrete surface havinga diameter larger than that of the threaded rod.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a side plan view of the cover of the present inventionpositioned to fit over threaded rod emanating from structural concrete.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As noted previously, there is an issue involving exposed threaded rodemanating from structural concrete that must be dealt with in the field.Specifically, there is the need to protect the threaded rod fromsplashing concrete or other debris noting that the threaded rod willoftentimes be used as a tie down for adjacent framing and otherstructures.

Reference is first made to FIG. 1 showing a segment of structuralconcrete 13 having threaded rod 12 emanate there from. Threaded rod 12is encased by cylindrical cover 10 having a length l sufficient to fullyencircle rod 12 throughout its entire length as measured from thesurface of structural concrete 13. The cylindrical cover 10 is producedand made available on a work site in fairly long standard lengths.

In employing the present invention cylindrical covet 10 resides overexposed rod 12. No longer does one have to concern oneself with the rodbeing compromised by splashing concrete or other debris and nor does onehave to wrap rod 12 with tape or other protecting membrane which isdifficult not only to apply but to remove. Also no longer does one haveto apply a protective cap atop the threaded rod as is current standardpractice, leaving the rod sides unprotected. One would merely slidecover 10 over threaded rod 12. Once the concrete is poured cover 10would simply be withdrawn from threaded rod and inventoried for lateruse.

The cover is made of plastic and, as a preferred embodiment, thecylindrical body can be color coded to represent differing dimensions.Thus, those in the field could readily identify standard dimensions froma parts bin without the need to measure each cylinder prior to its use.

1. A cover for encasing a threaded rod extending from structuralconcrete, said cover comprising a cylindrical body having a length atleast as long as that portion of said threaded rod extending from saidstructural concrete and a diameter larger than that of said threadedrod.
 2. In combination, a threaded rod and cover for encasing itextending from structural concrete, said cover comprising a cylindricalbody having a length at least as long as that portion of said threadedrod extending from said structural concrete.
 3. The cover of claim 1wherein said cylindrical body is color coded representing differingdimensions.
 4. A method of protecting threaded rods from structuralconcrete comprising applying said threaded rods to and within forms,applying a cover to the full length of said threaded rods that willextend above said structural concrete after being applied to said formsand applying said structural concrete to said forms.
 5. In a method ofprotecting the threads of rods, said rods being contained within andextending from structural concrete, the method comprising applying saidrods within frames and subsequently pouring structural concrete to saidframes to partially embed said rods therein while exposing at least athreaded length of said rods, the improvement comprising applying coversto the full length of said rods anticipated to extend above saidstructural concrete once poured, said covers characterized as eachhaving a cylindrical body and a diameter larger than that of thethreaded rods, and subsequently pouring said structural concrete withinsaid frames.